Words Fail Me 2.0

[MrRiplEy[H]]

and everyone got out of their cars or stopped walking and either saluted or if civilian put their hand over their heart. 

1950s I could see that happening. 2014 I think people are much more educated and open minded to not fall into rituals like that, on man made institutions. World is changing.

[Arlo]

1950s I could see that happening. 2014 I think people are much more lazy and self-centered to respect traditions like that, on man made institutions. World is changing.

Fixed. And every institution is 'man made.'

[Motherland]

I don't think it has anything to do with laziness or open-mindedness, people today just tend to have a different perspective on ritual and symbolism than they did 30 years ago. It's not better or worse, it's just different.
50 years ago maybe people would have stopped and showed respect for the flag under any circumstances, but they were also terrible and nasty to kids returning home from Vietnam. Today people may care a bit less about the symbolism, but our soldiers are much better taken care of and respected (Westboro Baptist Church nonwithstanding), as far as my current perspective seems to suggest, in a very similar situation.
It's more about the material now than colored fabric.
People in the military or outside of it may not respect the flag as much, but no one is refusing veterans service at restaurants because they think they're babykillers, either, regardless of perspective on what's going on throughout the world. If the situations were reversed, I tend to think that you all would look just as bad (if not much, much worse) to the current generation as we do to you.

It's not necessarily better or worse (and saying this as someone who tends to put a little bit more in sentiment in ritual than much of the population), it's just a different perspective and outlook

[Rich46yo]

It's a shame that you can't help yourself from making personal attacks whenever someone has an opinion that you don't like (ref: last Words fail me thread, and the Other countries thread in GD)

Why was it me insulting 600,000 people sworn to service to their country. Even to die for it?

squealing Idiot!

[Shifty]

It's a shame that you can't help yourself from making personal attacks whenever someone has an opinion that you don't like

I would say your original post is a personal attack on every active duty member on this board. As well as every veteran and family member of current or former service members.
All that aside what you wrote was nothing more than an ignorant assumption at best. Or possibly just the wishful thinking of a person who doesn't have the guts discipline or fiber
to serve his country.

[shotgunneeley]

As much as US military history is a part of my life, i would have loved to serve in some form. I tried to enlist after i got my degree in Forestry/GIS in hopes of being a spatial analyst in the army or AF. Got PDQ'd though due to a vascular stent implanted to open up my compressed illiac vein (may-thurner syndrome). Even though i can be proud for trying, i'll always feel that i missed an opportunity to give back to an institution that has been my passion since childhood. I remember idiot kids in high school not standing up for the Pledge and didn't give a hoot. Don't want to knock on anyone having not been in that situation myself, but the past few topics involving this issue have depicted individuals who do not realize that they represent a spirit larger than themselves. it gets my blood boiling when someone disgraces the flag, memory and sacrifice of our fighting forces.

They'll have my support. 

[Plawranc]

I find this unbelievable

Even as a Cadet (JROTC in the USA), we stood fast on position when either the flag was raised, or the anthem played. No exceptions.

We were a bunch of undeveloped and immature Australian teenagers playing at soldiers... The very idea that a serving United States Soldier would disregard such an integral part of their culture... is disturbing to say the least.

[Gemini]

I would say your original post is a personal attack on every active duty member on this board.

You are entitled to your opinion, just as I am entitled to express my thoughts on why the vast majority of people join the military.

I am not sure about a lack of guts, discipline, or fibre...if anything the problem is that I am overburdened with intelligence.

I'd sign up to defend our country in heartbeat if we were actually threatened, but to risk my life/well-being to make rich people richer by signing up as cannon fodder? No thanks.

I'm not sure who is more hopeless...the person who joins the military because they have no other option in life, or the person who does so because they actually believe that they are doing something to defend the USA.

[NatCigg]

In '81 I was at an airbase I wont name and we were about to lower the flag near the rear gate. I saw traffic whizzing by and something went off in me, I told the other guys to wait until I gave the signal, and with my GAU slung over my should forced all traffic to stop. I told the guys to go ahead, saluted, and the slowest flag lowering ceremony you ever saw began. I waited until the flag was folded and put away in the guard shack before I waved traffic on. By that time they were lined up blocks long "wanting to get home after work" waiting for Old Glory to get her due. I didnt know it at the time but the full Bird Col. of the squadron nearby was watching, the next day I got a personal call from the base commander thanking me but I told him I could only accept credit for us doing our duty as a SP squadron.

I was told days later that an order had been sent to every USAF SP squadron in the world that they were to forcibly stop traffic during every flag ceremony no matter where or what. I dont know if it was true but I know it was true at that base up until the day I left. Of all the things Ive done in my life I think Im proudest of the 4 years I was entrusted with and honored with the raising and lowering of that Flag. When I see these kids coming back shot up, hurt, or dead, "the REAL Heros" I feel like I held up my end by preserving the Honor of that flag.
(Image removed from quote.)

 

[NatCigg]

(Image removed from quote.)
Pfc. Tariqka Sheffey is facing a firestorm of criticism even though she told everybody IDGAF. Appears the Army definitely does GAF. Fort Carson spokesman said an investigation into the posting of the image is underway but now Sheffey is claiming it wasn't real and all a joke. Funny how losing your stripes (and the threat of a Dishonorable Discharge) suddenly kickstarts your brain. Who is training these kids? Somebody isn't getting the message across in boot.
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140225/NEWS/302250023/Soldier-flagrantly-avoids-flag-salute-sets-off-online-outrage

Well good for her, I assume she is a proud little girl.  Unfortunately, She may not understand her actions and will be punished before she does.  Who wants to take up a collection to ship her to the nearest international border crossing, Im thinking the Atlantic.  Carry on.

Spoiled brats brought up on hate should get what they want.  Ship them to the Ocean.  Im sorry your time hear was bad but we must dust the floor and you have got to go.
 

Having learned of the disgusting things americans have done and still do I understand Not Trusting the Government and we all have a right to protest.  But this girl, In a Army Uniform, wants to protest the Flag of 1700?  Personally I think STFU I dont give a dam u spoiled little girl.

[Zoney]

You are entitled to your opinion, just as I am entitled to express my thoughts on why the vast majority of people join the military.

I am not sure about a lack of guts, discipline, or fibre...if anything the problem is that I am overburdened with intelligence.

I'd sign up to defend our country in heartbeat if we were actually threatened, but to risk my life/well-being to make rich people richer by signing up as cannon fodder? No thanks.

I'm not sure who is more hopeless...the person who joins the military because they have no other option in life, or the person who does so because they actually believe that they are doing something to defend the USA.

Thank you sir.  You have insulted me.  I did join the military, and I did defend the USA.  Now I find out from you I did it because I was hopeless.  

[Hoplite]

You are entitled to your opinion, just as I am entitled to express my thoughts on why the vast majority of people join the military.

I am not sure about a lack of guts, discipline, or fibre...if anything the problem is that I am overburdened with intelligence.

I'd sign up to defend our country in heartbeat if we were actually threatened, but to risk my life/well-being to make rich people richer by signing up as cannon fodder? No thanks.

I'm not sure who is more hopeless...the person who joins the military because they have no other option in life, or the person who does so because they actually believe that they are doing something to defend the USA.

Wow.  Just.....wow....

[Gemini]

I did join the military, and I did defend the USA.  

Of course you did  

I understand that it makes you angry when someone like me has a different opinion of our armed forces and what they are used for than you guys who are serving or have served...but let's not get the thread locked with a bunch of political crap or personal abuse eh?

[NatCigg]

Thank you sir.  You have insulted me.  I did join the military, and I did defend the USA.  Now I find out from you I did it because I was hopeless.  

Hey I was hopeless too! I went from town to town job to job and found a way.  You army guys are not the only hopless ones and dont you forget it.

[NatCigg]

if anything the problem is that I am overburdened with intelligence.

you want to talk?  80$ a hour.